episode_0008
by fnovelpia…The two weeks that the Duke had spent in seclusion after completing his official duties were enough to instill unease among the departed souls of Roengreen. The nobles of Jido, who were eyeing the authority in the northern region, were launching fierce attacks. The demon hordes across the border were growling and eagerly seeking opportunities. While neglecting such crucial issues, who was it that indulged in eating and sleeping like a lazy wanderer? It was the Duke who had been doing so for the past two weeks.
That’s why even the departed souls of Roengreen began to express their doubts and suspicions towards their lord, albeit subtly.
“I shall commence the final regular meeting of this month.”
After concluding the lengthy silence, the Duke returned with an impeccable appearance, devoid of any flaws, or rather, emanating an even more sacred atmosphere than before.
If the previous Rhaeos was a devilish existence, then the figure reflected in the eyes of the departed souls now was–
Truly, the very embodiment of the Demon King who had descended upon the mortal realm.
“…Though it may be delayed somewhat, I intend to address all of your agenda today. I will not hold back on the severity, so feel free to speak up about anything without restraint.”
As his solemn voice resounded, one of the departed souls immediately raised their hand.
The Duke tapped the grip of the staff he held in one hand and called out their name.
“Arik of Regens, step forward and make your statement.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Arik, the departed soul who finally emerged as a speaker, had the impression of a quick-witted rat-like man.
If it aligned with Rhaeos’ intentions, he would unquestionably affirm anything, as he was a lackey of authority. Furthermore, he was solely devoted to suppressing his own rivals, a master of factional politics.
With that in mind, he began his statement, habitually sharpening his fingernails.
“Your Grace, I humbly report under your permission. Recently, I heard an extremely absurd story… No, well, it seems that a significant portion of the red marble produced in Regens’ Madness Mine is suddenly scheduled to be transported to Velus, guarded by Lucil. What on earth is that rat trying to say again–”
There was a woman sitting in the seat, receiving intense gazes. However, Alec continued speaking without paying any attention.
“So, when I discreetly investigated this matter, to my surprise, I discovered evidence that Lady Senna’s atelier is involved in illicit activities!”
Gashindan, who had been quietly listening to his words, was suddenly stirred.
The Duchess’s atelier was something that even mentioning would provoke the Duke’s anger.
“Alec is not merely speculating. Here, behold a copy of the forged magical artifact business plan, bearing the Duke’s official seal! I managed to find it with great difficulty!”
Alec shouted while shaking piles of documents in all directions.
“Now, those of you sitting there, please take a look for yourselves! This is the damning evidence of corruption and wrongdoing that must be condemned!”
Of course, due to the distance, the onlookers couldn’t make out a single word.
“Oh my, it seems like something really serious has happened.”
“Looks like another storm is brewing in the north.”
Anyway, the prevailing thought was that Alec’s statement must be true.
Alec is a meticulous person who wouldn’t even wager a bet unless he was certain.
Among the Gashin of the Duke’s household, not a single person was unaware of this fact.
Yes, today he seemed determined to expose both Lucil and the second Duchess of Belus…
“Why on earth would Lady Senna do such a thing…?”
“I can’t understand it. Didn’t she know that forging the Duke’s official seal is a grave crime?”
In this way, the Duke’s household members began to react as Alec intended.
If the daughter-in-law were only entering the atelier, causing turmoil, it would be none other than Duke Roengreen himself.
Moreover, if she went so far as to fabricate false documents and freely exploit the assets in the north…
Even if she is the Duke’s daughter, she won’t be able to escape punishment.
“It seems like the message was delayed.”
“…What?”
“The entire operation was authorized by me.”
“…”
At that moment, not only Alec but also everyone else froze.
“What… What did you say?”
“The Duke himself…?”
Even the other noble guests gathered in the venue doubted my ears.
– “The entire project was approved by me personally.”
Resounding in the voice of the Duke.
…Words that the Duke would never utter.
In response to Laios’s unexpected answer, the eyes of the noble guests flickered.
“If the misunderstanding has been cleared, you may return. Otherwise, is there anything else to address?”
He said, tapping his cane again.
The Duke’s proclamation ringing in Alrik’s ears was unbelievably cold.
“Uh, uh, um…”
At that moment, Alrik, who had been very confident, suddenly became an empty vessel.
…This can’t be true.
The Lord’s seal contained in this project proposal is genuine, not forged?
What’s going on? Is Alrik having some kind of damn nightmare?
Even if he stumbled, he firmly grasped it. No, he had no choice but to grasp it.
Who here could have imagined such a thing?
The greatest genius in the world, the Duke, granting magic engineering to the second-born lady!
“Furthermore, I have no intention of burdening Regens’ finances. We promise compensation commensurate with the scale of the Red Marble that goes to Velus. Will that suffice?”
“Yes, yes! The saintly Alrik is at a loss for words and does not know what to do, Your Excellency, the great Duke!”
Alrik, who stood foolishly in that spot, soon bowed his head to the Duke.
“Puhuhut─”
Eventually, he caught the gaze of the white-haired elf who was laughing at him like an idiot.
…Alrik was nothing more than someone who gnawed at his lips without any sense of dignity.
“A forest-dwelling Ainu girl who doesn’t even know proper etiquette…!”
Meanwhile, as the tense atmosphere calmed down to some extent.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to come forward and speak?”
The Duke’s voice echoed lowly in the venue once again.
Cough─ And this time, it was none other than Avijov who raised his hand.
“Avijov of Bosilov, step forward and speak.”
After a moment, the old man who had climbed up the platform stepped forward with a face that seemed to have a lot to say.
“First of all, I deeply thank Your Excellency, the Duke, for giving this old man an opportunity to speak.”
And with that, Abijof cleared his throat and spoke again.
“Your Highness, you may consider this disrespectful, but as a humble servant of the Duke’s family who worries about the future of the North, I must speak despite my shame.”
His audacious voice startled the other attendants, causing their jaws to drop in surprise.
Abijof, how dare that audacious knight utter such nonsense in front of His Majesty again!
“Do you know, Your Highness? The North is currently in a state of great disrepair.”
“…In disrepair?” The Duke furrowed his brow and asked quietly.
The eerie face of a menacing ‘demon’ flashed for a moment.
Witnessing such a change in expression, the attendants hoped that the fearless knight would keep his mouth shut.
“Yes. The reason for this is that Your Highness has not fulfilled the rightful role of a ruler and has simply observed everything from the sidelines.”
Abijof seemed determined, showing no intention of backing down.
“As a result, wounds have been haphazardly covered up and continue to fester, giving rise to significant turmoil on this land. This is the reality we are currently facing.”
Though his words were sharp and abrasive, they were not entirely untrue.
Indeed, while the Duke secluded himself in his chambers, the North had practically lost all its momentum.
With the cessation of regular expeditions, demons began to stir everywhere.
As the lord, he neglected his official duties, causing all affairs in the territory to come to a halt.
As the ruler, he failed to defend, allowing internal dissidents to seize opportunities.
“To rectify this, Your Highness must reign not as a shrewd ruler, but as a ‘father of the people.’ If you strive to fulfill your responsibilities as a leader, surely a new dawn will come to the crumbling North.”
Abijof’s frank advice now sounded like a reproach for the Duke’s lethargy over the past fortnight.
However, the knight’s true intentions were not limited to that alone.
– Abijof, I still cannot fathom my father’s thoughts.
What he is currently most concerned about is the underlying cause of this decline.
– In your opinion, how does my father treat Laura?
– He treats her as the true source of a destructive plague that is devouring the unity of the northern region like a pest. It’s a domestic catastrophe. And it’s none other than Rhaeos himself, the owner of Roengreen and the father of three daughters, who must personally sever ties with her.
– If you have any intention as the lord to rectify all this disharmony, please promise Avijof once that you will definitely do so.”
– With those words, Avijof confidently drew his sword from its sheath.
– “Ah, Sir Avijof! What on earth are you doing?”
– “How dare you do something so foolish in front of our esteemed lord?!”
– Gashindan, who was watching the scene, couldn’t hide his astonishment.
– At the same time, shouts demanding an immediate stop echoed throughout the assembly hall like a flood.
– However, it seemed unlikely that the fears of the audience would materialize.
– “If you cannot do that─then, rather, put an end to this wretched woman’s life! Respectable Duke Roengreen!”
– Thus, the tip of the old man’s sword was pointed not at the duke, but at himself.
– “……”
– The duke remained silent for a while.
– He simply rested his chin on his staff, closed his eyes slightly, and immersed himself in unknown thoughts.
– Afterward, how much time had passed?
– Breaking the momentary yet almost eternal silence, the duke finally spoke.
– “Sir Avijof, I understand your intentions clearly.”
– With those words, the duke rose abruptly from his seat. Then, he slowly began to walk toward the knight standing on the dais.
– Step by step.
– Each thud of the devil’s footsteps intensified the tension that weighed down the assembly.
– Some even closed their eyes tightly, imagining the bloody carnage that would unfold in a moment.
– “I hope my words have provided you with an answer.”
– However,
– “If I hadn’t truly intended to rectify the wrongs, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”
– …At that moment, the words and actions of the northern devil became apparent.
– “I am willing. To be the father who watches over all of you here, including the three noble ladies and my young lambs.”
– Like this─
“I now, as a harmonious leader, intend to confront all the conflicts that I have cowardly avoided until now.” The expectations of all the attendees at the conference were far surpassed.
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